PCMA Launches New E-Prescribing Video

Saturday, 19 April 2008 04:11
Dr. Hazem El-Oraby

With increased attention being focused on improving safety and savings in health care, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) has launched a new electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) video. The video features highlights from a US Senate press conference held in December announcing the introduction of the bipartisan "Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act of 2007" that would require e-prescribing in Medicare. Speakers at the press conference included: Senators John Kerry, (D-Mass), John Ensign, (R-Nev.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), John Sununu, (R-NH), and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, (R-GA). The E-MEDS Act is also supported by a broad coalition of consumers, unions, businesses, purchaser groups, and other prescription drug stakeholders. Last week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt testified before the Senate Finance Committee that adopting e-prescribing: "Saves lives. It saves money. And it's time." In November 2007, PCMA launched an e-prescribing ad campaign featuring Institute of Medicine (IOM) expert panelist J. Lyle Bootman calling on policymakers to require e-prescribing in Medicare "before more people die."